MERA (Mobile Electronics Retailers Association) will launch an awareness campaign early next year to promote its “Pocket or Dock-It” position on safe cellphone use in the car.
The campaign advocates drivers use handsfree car kits, which allow you to plug your phone into the car radio and then store it in a glove box or center console, where it is out of sight.
MERA will launch a web campaign and will send email blasts to the customer lists of its 1,000 retail members.
The campaign should start at end of Q1 2012, in time for the spring selling season.
You can see MERA’s position statement on distracted driving and Pocket or Dock-It at http://www.merausa.org/DriverSafety
MERA said it has been working on its position statement to form as the core of an its awareness campaign for a month. But it released the statement Monday, shortly after the National Transportation Safety Board called for a complete ban on ALL cellphone use in the car, even when used with a handsfree kit.
To MERA’s view, “Concerns over cell and or smartphone use and the driver’s ability to focus on driving should be addressed through docking the device and connecting it to a hands-free device (i.e. Bluetooth, etc.) that allows for communication without hands-on interaction or leaving the device in your pocket, purse and or out of reach when driving. Simply, ‘Pocket or Dock It’,” said MERA.President Chris Cook.
Source: CEoutlook
I completely support a nationwide handsfree law. But not this one. Speaking to someone on a bluetooth call is really no different than speaking to someone next to you. What is different is how the call is initiated. If the call can be truly 100% handsfree I don\’t see the problem. And it should not matter whether the call is placed on a factory or aftermarket device.
I have to believe that outlawing aftermarket and allowing factory would have to, in some way, be considered anti-competitive.
I believe that another deterrent would be very stiff penalties for texting while driving. Put those penalties on par with DUI.